Indiana State University Newsroom

Indiana native returns home to head College of Technology

July 6, 2009

Bradford Sims has been named dean of the College of Technology at Indiana State University, effective Aug. 1.

Since 1990, Sims has worked in the construction industry or in support of the field, both in the United States and abroad. He is currently professor and chair of the construction management department in the Kimmel School of Construction Management and Technology at Western Carolina University.

"With experience in industry as well as higher education, and given his experience in securing outside funding, Brad Sims is well suited to guide the ISU College of Technology at this point in its 41-year history," C. Jack Maynard, provost and vice president for academic affairs, said in announcing Sims' appointment. "He understands the real world and the value of experiential learning and community engagement."

The position is a homecoming of sorts for Sims, an Indiana native and a 1985 graduate of Lowell High School who holds a bachelor's degree and a Ph.D. from Purdue University.

"I am very exciting about moving back to Indiana and being part of the Indiana State University team," he said. "I see a great many possibilities for the future of the College of Technology in working with the supportive faculty and staff that will enhance the community, state, and nation."

Sims founded Western Carolina's construction management undergraduate program in 2002 and oversaw its growth to 400 students by 2007. Along the way, he established an online master of construction management program in 2005. That same year, he was instrumental in securing a $10.5 million endowment from Kimmel and Associates of Asheville, N.C., a leading construction industry executive search company, and company founder Joe Kimmel. The endowment is the largest gift in Western Carolina's history.

The new dean impressed the university's search committee, whose members reviewed a nationwide pool of applicants before interviewing three finalists for the position.

"Dr. Sims demonstrated his expertise and outstanding leadership qualities during multiple interview sessions with University and community members," said Nancy J. Merritt, dean of the ISU College of Business and committee chair. "The search committee, faculty, staff, and community members found him to be energetic, innovative, and well versed in the opportunities for colleges of technology."

Prior to coming to Western Carolina, Sims was assistant secretary-general of the International Council for Research and Innovation in Building Construction. Based in The Netherlands, he was involved with organizations from around the world and supported more than 50 commissions of experts performing research in all aspects of building and construction.

Sims previously served on the building construction faculty of the University of Florida, where he performed research into lean construction and created the Web site ConstructionEducation.com, which contains a wealth of construction information.

He has also worked for a variety of construction companies including Cherne Contracting Corp., where he was involved in day-to-day field activities at an ARCO refinery in southern California, Raytheon Engineers, where he participated on cost issues related to global industrial projects, and at the Westinghouse Savannah River site in South Carolina where he focused on scheduling issues related to waste and environmental projects.

In addition to his bachelor's and Ph.D. from Purdue, Sims holds a master's degree in building construction from the University of Florida.

Story Highlights

Bradford Sims has been named dean of the College of Technology at Indiana State University. Sims comes to Indiana State from Western Carolina University where served as professor and chair of the construction management department in the Kimmel School of Construction Management and Technology.